Dr. Steven Meyer Blocher

1951 - 2010

Dr. Steven Meyer Blocher, D.Min. 1951 - 2010 Husband, father, brother, pastor, missionary, counselor, teacher, fisherman and friend -- Steve Blocher went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 13th. The eldest child of Robert and Mary Jean Blocher, Steve was called to follow Jesus Christ in his early 20s while working in the fields of Northern California. He met Paul and Marianne Forgy of Yuba City through First Methodist Church, and eventually they allowed him to meet their daughter, Janelle. The two of them fell in love and got married, and they would spend the next 34 years together sharing Christ's love with others, raising three children, four dogs, two cockatiels and going wherever in the world they were called to serve the Lord. Steve's ministry began in youth groups in Yuba City. But a calling in missions and outreach would lead him and Janelle from Alaska (First Presbyterian, Anchorage) down to his family's base in California's Central Valley (First Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield 1982-86), on to positions in Cairo, Egypt (Heliopolis Community Church) and Mussoorie, India (Woodstock Christian International School) before bringing them to Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, where he ministered to the community for fifteen years. Steve graduated from Foothill High in Bakersfield (Class of '69) and carried a passion for learning throughout his life - he studied at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Selly Oak Colleges in the UK, the American University of Cairo and Fuller Seminary in Pasadena (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry). Steve loved the outdoors, he loved to travel and he loved to share the wonder of God's creation with others. Whether hiking the Tahoe basin, horseback riding around the Great Pyramids in Giza or piling his family into an Ambassador taxi for a journey across India, Steve knew wonder was best shared with others. The Blocher Family home was a regular stop on many travelers' and missionaries' journeys, wherever it was in the world. The Blocher's home was often filled with the smell of Steve's chicken on the BBQ, the sound of his beautiful voice singing along to his amazing guitar playing and the love of Jesus that he would share with any who would listen. Steve is survived by his wife, Janelle of South Lake Tahoe, Kristin of Sacramento, Ryan and Eric (and Eric's wife Song) of Qingdao, China. He is also survived by his sisters, Janice Stovall and her husband John (of Bakersfield), Patricia Orth and her husband Bob, Nancy Greenman and her husband Greg; Janelle's sisters, Huntyce Moore, Jeanine and her husband Walter White, Alisan and her husband Brent Hastey; many nieces and nephews and many many brothers and sisters in Jesus. He is predeceased by his parents and many others who are glad this good and faithful servant is home with them today in Heaven. We will be celebrating Steve's life at Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, in South Lake Tahoe, on Sunday, October 17 at 11:30 a.m., and at noon, on Monday at Sutter Cemetery, in Sutter, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the continued ministry of Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church. www.bakersfield.com/obits